NSW Blues dump coach Anthony Stuart

Date: December 19 2012

Chris Barrett

Anthony Stuart has been sacked as head coach of NSW. The former fast bowler leaves the Blues with immediate effect, with the former Sri Lanka Test player and current NSW assistant, Chandika Hathurusinghe to take over until the end of the season.

As revealed by The Sun-Herald at the weekend Stuart's position has been under serious doubt following the Blues' modest domestic performances last season.

"At a meeting of the NSW Cricket Board last evening it was determined that Anthony Stuart's contract to coach the NSW SpeedBlitz Blues will not be renewed and he has finished duties as Head Coach with immediate effect," said Cricket NSW chief executive David Gilbert in a statement.

“Cricket NSW records its thanks to Anthony for his efforts and commitment over the past 18 months. We wish Anthony well in his future endeavours."

Officials had lost patience with the lack of success under Stuart's tenure, and while Gilbert has previously backed him amid suggestions he would be removed, the board has decided to act mid-season.

The Blues spent significant time in the lower reaches of the table in both the Sheffield Shield and Ryobi Cup competitions last season before ending fifth in the four-day ladder and third in the one-day category.

There was also consternation that Test batsmen Phillip Hughes and Usman Khawaja left the state to further their careers elsewhere with strong suggestions they departed due to flaws in the NSW system.

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